Sudden cardiac death is a sudden unexpected noniolent death for cardiac reasons which according to the majority of authors occurs within one hour after the development of symptoms of acute impairment of health. This syndrome is a major problem of contemporary medicine with a very adverse prognosis. The authors analyze the epidemiology, causes, influence of the external environment, basic arythmogenic mechanisms and prognosis of sudden death. Examination methods of this clinical condition are evaluated from the aspect of their application in the risk stratification of patients.

        Key words: Arythmia - Ischaemic heart disease - Ventricular fibrillation - Ventricular tachycardia - Sudden cardiac death